Aston Villa urged to sign ex-Man Utd wonderkid as Romano ENDS transfer speculation

Cameron Smith

12 Apr 2024 10:45 BST
3 min read

Unai Emery, Aston Villa, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore has urged Unai Emery’s side to purchase Luton Town defender Teden Mengi this summer.

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Despite making nearly 50 appearances for Man Utd’s U21 side, Mengi played just twice for first-team at Old Trafford and he left his boyhood club to join Luton on a permanent deal last year.

The 21-year-old’s form since moving to Kenilworth Road has impressed Collymore, who is eager for Aston Villa to sign him during the upcoming summer transfer window.

“I can’t be the only one who’s noticed that he [Mengi] has all of the background, the ambition to leave United at 21 to go it alone,” the ex-Villa striker told CaughtOffside.

“I’ve been really impressed by his performances and I’m sure he’ll be on several big clubs’ radars.

“He’s played for England at every age level so will have had an A+ club and international grounding. Personally, I’d drive him to Villa Park tomorrow if Unai Emery fancies it.”

Mengi has made 30 appearances in all competitions for Luton so far this season, and he has started in 22 of their past 24 Premier League matches.

Ferdi Kadioglu to Aston Villa?

While Collymore is eager for his former club to sign Mengi, Emery’s team have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu.

Reports in the Turkish media have suggested that Villa are in talks with Fenerbahce regarding a possible summer move for Kadioglu, but Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on such claims.

The transfer expert posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): “Aston Villa sources deny any story about agreement or even negotiations for Ferdi Kadioglu. There are no talks ongoing between Villa and Fenerbahçe despite reports in the Turkish press.”